NEW ORLEANS REGION TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COALITION Pedestrian and Bicycle Emphasis Area ACTION PLAN ADOPTED January 2014

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1 LOUISIANA STRATEGIC HIGHWAY SAFETY PLAN NEW ORLEANS REGION TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COALITION Pedestrian and Bicycle Emphasis Area ACTION PLAN ADOPTED January 2014 Goal: Reduce Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities by 50% by TEAM LEADER: Karen Parsons and Dan Jatres Objective 1: Improve relationships and communication among agencies, organizations, and individuals to reduce bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in the region. Strategy 1.1: Institutionalize the pedestrian and bicycle committee (EA Action Plan) for the region. Strategy : EA Team supported by RPC; DOTD EA team supported by TRCC (Clare Brown); RPC Identify and engage stakeholders to participate in quarterly meetings of the committee. Expand partnerships to include organizations such as health organizations and hospitals, EMS, and directors of public works. Coordinate with the Traffic Records Coordinating Committee (Statewide Group), the Infrastructure EA Team leader for the Regional Safety Action Plan (Scott Boyle), and other coalitions to ensure safety is a priority for the New Orleans region. Additional input to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety Coordinated efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety pedestrian safety in the region pedestrian safety in the region

2 1.1.3 Dan Jatres and Karen Parsons of RPC; City of New Orleans, Louis Haywood Coordinate efforts with RPC Complete Streets Advisory Committee; City of New Orleans Complete Streets Committee; committees in other municipalities. Coordinated efforts to improve bicycle and pedestrian Improved understanding of actions taking place in the region to improve Complete Streets/possible project and funding coordination Strategy 1.2 Incorporate projects and programs identified in regional and local bicycle and pedestrian plans into this action plan to ensure coordination and information sharing amongst parishes. Strategy : EA Team Identify existing Plans to review and # plans identified Programs and Projects None determine how to incorporate programs and projects into this Action Plan. incorporated into the next version of this Action Plan City of New Orleans DPW; NOPD Implement the project and programs in the City of New Orleans Pedestrian Safety Action Plan # of PSAP initiatives implemented; Reductions in pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries in the City of New Orleans 1-3 years -High EA Team, RPC; DOTD Support development and implementation of Pedestrian Safety Action Plans (PSAPs) in communities of the New Orleans region Jefferson Parish Implement the Jefferson Parish Bicycle Master Plan EA Team and Local communities Support initiatives of local communities in the New Orleans Region to develop and implement bicycle master plans. # of new PSAPs developed # of JPBMP initiatives implemented # of Bicycle Master Plans developed Develop PSAPs in communities with identified pedestrian crash problems Improved bicycle safety and increased bicycle usage in Jefferson Parish Improved bicycle safety in local communities -High 3 years + -High -High - 2 -

3 Strategy 1.3: Coordinate and partner with law enforcement/criminal justice. Strategy : Step # Action Step Impaired Driving EA Team City of New Orleans, Col. Jerry Sneed and NOPD City of New Orleans, Col. Jerry Sneed and NOPD For a coordinated approach to build relationships with judges, district/city attorneys, law enforcement, medical personnel, etc), coordinate with Impaired Driving Emphasis Area s efforts. (for the purpose of sharing contacts and coordinating meetings). Establish partnerships with police departments, Quality of Life Officers, Community Liaisons, etc. for the purpose of public outreach and education. Include pedestrian and bicycle issues in existing NOPD online continuing education, create opportunities for certification. # of criminal justice system partners Emphasize importance of enforcement to all levels of the criminal justice system # of citizens reached Increase law enforcement and public awareness of laws and safety # of NOPD officers trained; frequency of pedestrian and bicycle topics Pedestrian and bicycle training institutionalized into existing training programs 1 year - 3 -

4 Objective 2: Enhance and identify the crash data needs for the region. Strategy 2.1: Hold quarterly or semi-annual regional data symposia with state, regional, and local staff. development of an organizational chart, data flow timeline, and data handbook. Strategy : DOTD, RPC Symposiums would support RPC, DOTD Prepare for a data symposium, conduct the Data documentation Data documentation and 6-12 months following activities: 1) Create a critical stakeholder invite list including individuals within police departments, parish, region, state government; 2) define current data flow timeline; 3) create optimized critical interactions timeline; 4) facilitate and discuss findings; 5) announce and publicize process findings and process improvements and presentation information prepared for symposium presentation information prepared for symposium RPC, DOTD Conduct symposium to develop organizational charts and role definitions in Organizational Chart Improved data sharing process on a regular regards to data development, access, use, and Role definitions sharing. Symposium participants should 1) basis share the role of data according to staff job descriptions; 2) share ideas and concerns related to the role of data in their job descriptions 3) discuss interactions that would facilitate communication and refine and deploy an improved data processes. Strategy 2.2: Identify additional pedestrian and bicycle data needs for the region Strategy : RPC RPC should work through DOTD to coordinate with LSU to understand the pedestrian and bicycle crash data analysis and how the information can be utilized by MPOs and local government for decision making. # of new pedestrian and bicycle data analysis methods Implement new analyses of data for use by MPOs and local agencies Strategy 2.3: Improve crash data reporting Strategy : DOTD/LSU - 4 -

5 2.3.1 Highway Safety Commission/ Ron Whitaker - DOTD Incorporate Bicycle/Pedestrian issues into the training provided for crash investigations and reporting via training methods within departments. # of law enforcement officers trained Improved crash investigations and reporting Strategy 2.4: Collect and utilize additional datasets Strategy : EA Team and Enforcement/traffic ticket datasets # of police participating departments Police relaying data Departments Bike Easy Identify and utilize crowd sourced datasets # of crowd sourced datasets Awareness of enforcement locations and violations Utilize non-traditional data sources to inform safety efforts Objective 3: Raise general public awareness about various bicycling and walking safety issues Strategy 3.1: Continue the social marketing and media campaign of RPC s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Education Program Strategy : RPC RPC, Dan Jatres Develop campaign message(s), identify target demographics and geographic locations, deploy campaign, track impact of campaign Campaign messaging market tested # of high crash locations targeted # of demographic groups targeted Identify and ensure messaging achieves intended impact Maximize resources through targeted deployment of media Increased awareness and understanding of campaign message 1 year and ongoing RPC, Dan Jatres Identify partners (local governments, transit agencies, community orgs, etc) to spread the messages and increase market penetration HSC; local agencies Coordinate media campaign with targeted enforcement efforts # of partners Build wide community buy-in of messaging and outreach # of hours of targeted enforcement Reinforce messaging with coordinated enforcement 1 year and ongoing 1 year and ongoing

6 3.1.4 RPC, Dan Jatres Identify topics and target audiences, then # of videos Visual messaging on 1 year create videos safety topics Bike Easy; RPC Develop a strategy for improving trail user etiquette that can be communicated in safety education programs Shared-use trail etiquette guide Improve user experience and interactions along shared-use trails 1 year Strategy 3.2: Conduct outreach to journalist/reporters on pedestrian and bicycle issues, laws and crashes. Strategy : RPC RPC and EA Team Conduct outreach to journalists on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure concepts and crash reporting. Possibly communicate with law enforcement on this topic as well to discuss the way they give comments to the media. # of journalists Increase awareness of accuracy of coverage of pedestrian and bicycle projects and crashes 1 year Strategy 3.3: Distribute Guide to Safe Cycling/Bicycle Map Strategy : RPC RPC, Dan Jatres; Bike Easy, Jamie Wine Coordinate with Bike Easy on distribution and outreach. Determine effective distribution model/methods of Guide to Safe Cycling for communities without bicycle maps. Consider coordinating with bicycle retailers for Point of Sale resource distribution RPC, Dan Jatres Update the Guide to Safe Cycling (as needed) and the Bike Map (annually). # of maps/guides distributed # of distribution outlets Updated map Raise awareness of bicycle laws and safety Ensure demand for map/guide by keeping it up to date 1 year and then ongoing (annually) Strategy 3.4: Develop and deliver community bicycle workshops Strategy : Bike Easy Step # Action Step - 6 -

7 3.4.1 Bike Easy Continue existing bicycle workshop program. # of workshops Provide instruction on Identify opportunities to expand bicycle workshops to a wider range of communities: geographic, socioeconomic, etc bicycle safety in urban environments Bike Easy; SRTS Develop and implement bicycle safety curricula targeted at school age audiences. # of schools # of children Provide bicycle safety education to children to develop safe habits early 1 year Strategy 3.5: Partner with New Orleans Region Office of Motor Vehicles branches to incorporate pedestrian and bicycle safety into driver training and testing. Strategy : EA Team with the support of DPS/LSP Explore the possibility of establishing relationships with DPS/OMV personal in Baton Rouge and regional offices. Request that the Bicycle/Pedestrian EA group be on the review panel for the OMV Manual assessment anticipated to occur in spring of Partnership with OMV New partner to deliver education and messaging 1 year Strategy 3.6: Continue and expand RTA s PSA/outreach campaign and similar campaigns throughout the region. Strategy : RTA RTA, Mark Young RTA, Mark Young RTA, Mark Young Continue operator training for safety around pedestrians. Expand to include bicycles. Continue current streetcar safety campaign: don t walk/jog on track; don t turn left across tracks Distribute brochures on these topics to hotels and car rental companies. # of trained operators # of signs along streetcar tracks and banners on lightpoles # of brochures distributed, # of hotels and car companies offering the brochures pedestrian safety near transit vehicles pedestrian safety near transit vehicles pedestrian safety near transit vehicles - 7 -

8 Strategy 3.7: Support policies, activities and programs that support School Zones and Safe Routes to School Programs Strategy : LPHI/Tulane PRC LA Public Health Institute (LPHI) and Tulane; SRTS Kids Walk Coalition (Tulane PRC), Naomi Doerner; SRTS Expand safety intervention programs to include more schools and reach more children. This is a safety facilitation program. Tulane and LPHI have been supporting Safe Routes to School and other communities can pursue these programs in coming grant cycles. Implement crossing guard training program based on training being developed by Tulane PRC and NOPD. # of school sites where education programs are held # of children that participate in the program # of crossing guards trained School based education around pedestrian and bicycle safety Improved awareness amongst school age children of pedestrian and bicycle safety Improved crossing guard training Objective 4: Clarify local ordinances so that they protect bicyclists and pedestrians. Strategy 4.1: Support activities that identify potential changes to parish and municipal ordinances, and to DOTD policies and procedures. Strategy : AARP Complete Streets Team Step # Action Step AARP, Dan Jatres AARP, Dan Jatres Provide technical assistance to AARP activities to review proposed legislation for pedestrian and bicycle related bills Continue to provide technical assistance to Complete Streets Group and participate/support activities of this group. Continue to support State Complete Streets Policy Initiative. Identify national best practices in pedestrian and bicycle laws for potential adoption. Review proposed Louisiana laws impacting pedestrians and bicyclists Review pedestrian and bicycle laws from other states Ensure Louisiana law supports pedestrian and bicycle safety Adopt as appropriate best practice laws from around the country - 8 -

9 4.1.3 New Orleans Sustainable Transportation Advisory Committee Provide technical assistance as needed in review of City of New Orleans ordinances related to pedestrian and bicycle users. Ensure consistency with LA Revised Statutes changes since EA Team Participate as a resource and team member on any groups formed by DOTD for the purpose of outreach EA Team, DOTD, Brian Parsons; Soll Planning LLC, Ellen Soll Support review of complete streets participate as a technical resource and team member. Update appropriate local ordinances Scoring criteria which add points for projects improving safety Parity between state statutes and local ordinances Incentive for projects to address safety 1 year 1 year Objective 5: Develop and support infrastructure and operations that improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Strategy 5.1: Provide professional development opportunities for public and private sector professionals regarding infrastructure design. Strategy : RPC, Dan Jatres Conduct Designing Streets for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Workshop # of participants Profile of participants (profession, public/private, geographic, etc) Increased knowledge of current standards and best practices Modest RPC, Dan Jatres Conduct Designing Facilities for Accessibility Workshop # of participants Profile of participants (profession, public/private, geographic, etc) RPC, Dan Jatres Conduct Complete Streets Workshops # of participants Profile of participants (profession, public/private, geographic, etc) Increased knowledge of current standards and best practices for accessibility (ADA compliance) Increased adoption of Complete Streets at the parish and municipal level Modest Modest - 9 -

10 5.1.4 LTAP Encourage Highway Safety Manual trainings The LTAP has previously hosted this training. Continue this training so that people can most effectively utilize the highway safety manual. This could be an overview of the manual or a bicycle- pedestrian focused training, and could also include a training on the new Vision 0 Suite. # of participants Profile of participants (profession, public/private, geographic, etc) Increased awareness and use of HSM in project development Modest Strategy 5.2: Identify and implement effective countermeasures for infrastructure that improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Strategy : Step # Action Step RPC Identify hot spots and effective (infrastructure) countermeasures through analysis and review of crash data. # of implemented countermeasures at hot spots pedestrian safety Modest-High Coordinate with Infrastructure and Operations Emphasis Area (IOEA) team (1.6 of I/O Emphasis Area Action Plan) Coordinate to identify hotspots for Bicycle/Pedestrians that could also be addressed with I/O projects EA Team Partner with DOTD and other road owners (parish and local) to consider inexpensive and efficient opportunities for provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities KidsWalk Coalition, Naomi Doerner School Zones Consider school zones for overall neighborhood blocks surrounding the school area, in compliance with EDSRs for state routes EA Team Participate in RSAs to provide for multidisciplinary approach to provide safe transportation facilities for all users. # of bicycle and pedestrian improvements or new facilities # Schools Safety Zones # of countermeasures # RSA s EA Team participated pedestrian safety pedestrian safety around schools Reduced motor vehicle speeds around schools pedestrian safety -Modest High Strategy 5.3: Identify and utilize ongoing DOTD programs in order to integrate Complete Streets approaches

11 Strategy : DOTD District Operations Engineer 02 and 62/ RPC EA Teams, with support of DOTD DOTD Dist 02 & 62; RPC; local jurisdiction Support Complete Streets policy for Rightsizing the State Highway System Program. Coordinate with DOTD Complete Streets Implementation Team. Coordinate efforts with Infrastructure Operations Emphasis Area When opportunities arise, participate in review of upcoming overlay projects by DOTD District 02 and 62 staff, RPC staff/csac and local jurisdictions # of rightsizing 1 projects reviewed for Complete Streets Elements # of Ops EA projects that address # of overlay projects reviewed for Complete Streets elements # of overlay projects including Complete Streets elements Local jurisdictions take ownership of roadways that meet their operations goals Ops EA actions advance safety goals Increased Complete Streets elements included in overlay projects Objective 6: Create a unified, comprehensive, multi-modal traffic count program Strategy 6.1: Coordinate vehicle count locations with identified safety concerns. Strategy : RPC; DOTD District RPC; DOTD District; UNO RPC; DOTD District Coordinate vehicle count locations with identified safety concerns Conduct counts following the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project Explore opportunities to create a standardized multi-modal traffic count program, coordinate with District Traffic Engineer. # of counts at high crash locations # of counts conducted # of multi-modal counts conducted Calculate crash rate for high crash locations Track impact of investments Multi-modal count procedure Mode share calculations 1 year 1 Right-Sizing the State Highway System The State presently owns over 27 percent of the public road mileage in Louisiana; the national average is approximately 19 percent. The Road Transfer Program has been established as the means to right-size the State Highway System to achieve the national average of 19 percent state ownership of public road mileage. Roads will be repaired prior to transfer and the receiving local governments will be credited for 40 years of routine and capital maintenance which can be applied to any highway capital project(s). Participation in the program is optional. For more information,

12 6.1.4 RPC; DOTD District; UNO Expand local capacity to conduct pedestrian and bicycle counts # of new count locations Improved understanding of facility usage Increased coverage of count locations Output measures generally refer to the calculation, recording, or tabulation of the results of an activity, effort, program, or process that can be expressed quantitatively. Outcome measures generally are the results of an activity, plan, process, or program and how that result compares to what was originally intended. Timeline: 3 to 6 months Budget: (under $25,000) 6 months to a year Modest ($26,000 to $50,000) 1 year ($51,000 to $100,000) 2 years High ($100,000 to $300,000) 3 years+ Substantial ($300,000+)